Lina Hurtig's shot was ruled to have crossed the goal line.
The Women’s World Cup Round of 16 matchup between the USWNT and Sweden came down to a matter of millimeters, but it was the latter squad that benefited the most.
Megan Rapinoe – one of the most decorated U.S. soccer players of all time – had the chance to play the hero once again and put the U.S. at a seemingly insurmountable advantage in the middle of the penalty shootout. She missed.
Smiling in disbelief, Rapinoe walked back to the line to watch the rest unfold.
Lina Hurtig was the 14th player to come to the mark to take her shot. She took a deep breath and fired the ball at U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. The veteran keeper pushed the ball up, and it hit the top of the post. However, when the ball came back down, it crossed the goal line.
It took a minute for the referees to determine whether the ball was good. And it was.
Sweden was jubilant after the 5-4 win in penalties – the U.S. defeated.
The U.S. women’s soccer team will be leaving the Women’s World Cup the earliest they ever have. The Americans were coming in as the two-time defending champions. It’s now back to the drawing board.